Comments on Profile Post by M3NTAL

I find etsy has the same items, but I know what you mean.
Its just a platform, you get what you pay for most of the time.

I just bought a pair of fiio flatheads from Ali but I'm not much into them only used them for IEM stuff when I tried to get into IEMs. Fwiw I don't even order from Amazon much for years. Etsy can be useful if you're looking for 3d printed audio stuff or hand made wooden things.

I don't and haven't used aliexpress and have experienced stuff getting ripped off before.

I really don't know if aliexpress is completely to blame though so much as the individuals copying and the policies of various governments that enable and encourage this type of behavior. i.e. they're just playing by the rules of the environment they're in. Would be willing to order novel items there if the need came up.

When I do use Aliexpress I am usually ordering something that is also available through US suppliers but maybe it’s a little cheaper straight from China. As far as I know I’m not typically buying clones of stuff but I see what you mean about the system that supports it.

It's a marketplace for Chinese sellers. Some are reputable and put out unique products (I have gotten some seriously nice leather tools not available elsewhere), and of course there are a bunch of sellers that ship cheap or knockoff stuff that should be avoided. Etsy is full of similar sellers at this point as well. Same with Amazon and almost all major marketplaces.

You just have to be a conscientious consumer and see if you can find the actual shops that are putting out good/original stuff. Same with Etsy, ebay, etc.

I didn't mean to specifically target Etsy, but just the odd-ball offerings from faceless fly by nights type of ventures. They put no effort into their storefront (AliE) and I feeling like my $card info will be compromised at any moment. There are things I want on there, but nothing that I can't find compromise locally.

@fraggler - you nailed it. It's work to figure out WTF you're even trying to buy - trust me, I've scoured Ali a few times and end up leaving from the trash website.

IIRC there is a plugin, app, or similar tool that helps filter out China based sellers for Amazon and Etsy. Can't remember the name of it.

Like @penguins said, the copy cats are all all over Amazon and Etsy and have been all over ebay for quite sometime. Although I see fewer on ebay lately because Aliexpress becoming more popular and the ever increasing fees at the bay.